Benue: Tinubu chose pageantry over mourning- Peter Obi

Benue: Tinubu Chose Pageantry Over Mourning – Peter Obi

Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has criticized President Bola Tinubu for his conduct during a visit to Benue State following a deadly attack that claimed the lives of about 200 people in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area.

Obi faulted Tinubu for arriving in what he described as celebratory attire, rather than dressing in mourning to reflect the gravity of the tragedy. He said the visit, meant to console grieving families, was turned into a festive spectacle rather than a solemn moment of national grief.

Expressing his disappointment on social media, Obi said:
“Where is our humanity? The president was urged to show genuine leadership by visiting Benue and Niger states to comfort victims of a massacre and deadly flooding. Instead, what we witnessed in Benue resembled a celebratory event—more fitting for a road commissioning than a condolence visit.”

He criticized the president’s agbada outfit, calling it inappropriate for the occasion. Obi also condemned the state government's actions, saying schools were closed and children, who should be mourning lost loved ones, were made to perform for the president in the rain.

“This is not how a compassionate nation acts,” Obi said, lamenting how condolence visits have become political displays filled with banners, music, and choreographed crowds, rather than quiet reflection and support for victims.

He drew comparisons to world leaders like South Africa’s President Ramaphosa and India’s Prime Minister Modi, who visited disaster scenes with humility and seriousness, without fanfare.

Obi concluded by warning that Nigeria is losing its moral compass:
“When mourning turns into a campaign event, when we celebrate while our nation bleeds, we are in danger of losing our soul. These were human lives — their blood demands justice, not applause.”